<div class="intro-content copy-section">​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Conowingo Hydroelectric Generating Station is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant owned and operated by Exelon Power, a business unit of Exelon Generation. </div><div class="copy-section"><p>Located on the Susquehanna River in northern Maryland, Conowingo has been providing energy to the regional system since 1928. When constructed from 1926 to 1928, Conowingo was the largest power plant ever built and had the largest turbines and generators to date. When the Conowingo Dam was completed in 1928, producing 252 megawatts (MW), it became the second largest hydroelectric project in the United States, behind Niagara Falls.</p><p>The original plant had 7 turbines and, in 1964, 4 more turbines were added. The water flow of the Susquehanna River provides the fuel for the 11 current turbine generators, producing 500 MW of electricity. Because water is used to turn the turbines, Conowingo can be used to "jump start" the electric distribution system in the event of a system failure of the PJM connection.</p></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>Exelon Generation's culture and business practice make us safety-first</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>All Exelon Generation facilities employ sophisticated emergency response plans to protect public health and safety. Plans are reviewed and approved by state governments and federal regulatory agencies. Emergency planning includes coordination with local and municipal officials, and thousands of volunteers and first responders. </p><p>To protect the safety and health of our employees, contractors, customers and communities, we've implemented a number of initiatives to promote safe behaviors both on and off the job. </p><p>Exelon has a safety behavior observation program and focused initiatives on areas of high risk. We offer safety training, which is integrated with leadership development programs for supervisors and managers, as well as new employee orientation. And the safety peer group identifies successful pilot programs or new practices that can then be adopted by the entire organization.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>License renewals mean clean, zero-carbon energy well into the future</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>Conowingo has a license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that expired September 1, 2014. In August 2012, Exelon filed an application with FERC for a new long-term license. Conowingo is currently operating on an annual license issued by FERC, which renews automatically while relicensing activities continue. Relicensing Conowingo Dam would ensure its continued emissions-free operation, benefitting our local economy, environment, and community. Exelon wishes to preserve this virtually emissions-free generating capacity and its electrical output, while enhancing both the environmental integrity and local community relationships.</p>
<p>Typically, a FERC license is issued for a period from 30 to 50 years. Exelon filed an application to relicense Conowingo with FERC in August 2012. <a href="/locations/ferc-license-renewals/Conowingo/Pages/Background.aspx" target="_blank">Learn more​</a> about Conowingo relicensing efforts.
</p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>Supporting the local economy</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>Exelon Generation spends more than $40 million annually to operate and maintain both Conowingo and Muddy Run and pays nearly $5 million in property taxes annually. The plants have a shared workforce of over 60 Exelon employees. </p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>We live here too, and we're good neighbors</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>Conowingo aims to be a good neighbor and is very active in the local community.</p><ul class="styled-bullets"><li>
<strong>Sponsorship.</strong>The power plant sponsors several community events including the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway's Riversweep and Port Deposit's annual Rockfish tournament.</li><li>
<strong>Charitable Giving & Volunteering.</strong> ​Conowingo and its employees give generously to the community through a variety of charitable activities, including donations to the local United Way chapters, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cecil and Harford Counties, the Harford Family House, the Stroud Water Research Center, and the Plumpton Park Zoological Gardens, Inc. Conowingo and its employees also donate food, clothing and time to the Ray of Hope Mission in Port Deposit, and provide winter coats for area children through Operation Warm.</li><li>
<strong>Recreation & Education.​</strong> Conowingo Dam provides a variety of opportunities for recreation and education to the local community. Exelon Generation maintains several public parks as part of its Conowingo license, including Broad Creek Public Landing, Line Bridge Access, Funk’s Pond, Conowingo Fisherman’s Park and Dorsey Park. Additionally, Exelon welcomes thousands of visitors every year to two Visitors Centers to learn about local ecology. The Dam affords local residents and tourists access to the river for fishing, bird-watching, picnics, photography and more. ​</li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div>​
<div class="section-header"><h4>Environmental Impact</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>Since 1972, Conowingo Dam has been vital to returning American shad to the upper Susquehanna River. A $12 million fish lift was completed in the early 1990s and has restored more than 1 million shad.</p></div></div></div></div>

Conowingo Hydroelectric Generating Station

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